Soldiers are accessed during historic ceremony

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The Army Reserve Sustainment Command held the first Army Reserve Acquisition Accession Ceremony to honor more than 30 Soldiers recently accessed into the acquisition workforce.

Maj. Gen. Peter Lennon, commanding general of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, and Brig. Gen. Phillip Jolly, commanding general of the ARSC in Birmingham, Ala., along with Command Sgt. Maj. Vicki Briggs, command sergeant major of the ARSC, had the pleasure of inducting each Soldier and awarding their certificates at the Bob Jones Auditorium on Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala., on April 4.

“This is an historic event, and one that is important to the Army as a whole,” said Jolly.

He spoke of the courses the Soldiers took and the challenges the Soldiers endured to obtain the military occupational specialty and functional area within the 51 series.

“With contract management being such a huge part of the battlefield today, the Army needs Soldiers proficient in acquisition and contract management,” added Jolly.

Maj. Gen. Lennon agreed that this was a critical step in their career and described their role being a different way of committing to and serving the U.S. military. Lennon honed in on the importance of their role to the future.

“As the Army shrinks, it is crucial that the active duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard all work together in acquisition and contract management because it can’t be done with a single component,” he said.

Upon congratulating each Soldier on their accomplishments, he shared a bit of advice for the Soldiers.

“You are among the best and brightest and as you move forward on this new path I ask that you remember the three C’s: character, commitment and competence. Remember the biggest of these is your character; it is going to be what carries you through” said Lennon.